Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the PERSONNEL PANEL of the POLICE AUTHORITY held at Westgate Chambers, Staple Gardens, Winchester on Tuesday 29 January 2002.

PRESENT:

Mr G M King, JP (Chairman); Mrs R Atkinson; Councillor D Gillett; Mr R Gully; Councillor P Mason; Councillor Mrs J Rayment.

Also present: Mr P Robertson (Clerk); Mrs M Adamson (Director of Personnel); Mrs C McKenna (Assistant Director of Personnel); Ms C Vagg and Mrs M Boyes (Clerk's Office).

123. MINUTES

    (a) Meeting held on 6 November 2001

      The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 6 November, 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

      Members enquired as to the status of the Equality Training Team from March 2002. The Director of Personnel advised the panel that the team had initially been established to deliver Phase I of the training. Six permanent trainers had now been appointed to teach a range of skills including Community and Race Relations (C&RR), and any staff who had not undertaken Phase I. Members received further information on Phase II training including the content and structure of the training.

    (b) Meeting held on 15 January 2002

      The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 15 January 2002, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

124 POLICE STRENGTH FORECAST 2002/03 - UPDATE

    The Panel considered a report of the Chief Constable (Item 2 in the Minute Book) on the expected position on police officer numbers for the remainder of this financial year and for 2002/03.

    The Director of Personnel advised Members that the forecast for 2002/03 would mean recruiting 360 new recruits, and if this could be achieved the Force would receive all its Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) allocation. She further advised that the Recruitment Department was working hard to increase the number of transfers, with a target set at 100. The figures would be updated at each meeting of the Panel to ensure members were aware of the position.

    Members of the Panel asked for clarification on the position of transfers from other forces, particularly in view of the impact this could have on other forces.

    The Director of Personnel advised Members that the Force would continue to advertise for transfers in Police Review magazine, irrespective of rank or specialism. Transferees with over 12 years service had not previously been considered as the Force would have to take on the pension liability. Hampshire would now consider transferees with up to 20 years service, this situation would need to be continuously monitored due to the cost implication.

    The Director of Personnel outlined the new Home Office Minimum Standards in Recruitment that were due to be implemented later this year. She was also due to have a meeting with the Home Office regarding the content of Superintendent Thomas' report on recruitment and retention within Hampshire Constabulary.

    Members were keen to ensure that the entrance standards remained as they were currently within Hampshire, as they were within the required standard parameters and did not compromise quality.

      The Assistant Director of Personnel updated the Members of the Panel on the new recruitment campaign. 1,100 expressions of interest had been received from prospective candidates. The Divisions have arranged their open days, and there will be a five week rolling programme of recruitment. In the middle of March more information should be available on the success of the recent recruitment advertising campaign. Members were advised that when an application form was not returned the prospective candidate was contacted to establish the reason for not returning a completed application.

      The Director of Personnel advised members that the £1000 bounty would also be available to the Isle of Wight Division, if they were successful in recruiting locally. New officers recruited in this way may be posted to mainland divisions, although they may be posted to the Isle of Wight, even if this meant this division would be over its establishment figure for a short while.

    RESOLVED:

      That the report be noted.

125 ESTABLISHMENT REPORT - PART I

      The Panel received and noted a report of the Chief Constable (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on various personnel matters.

126 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

    RECOMMENDATION:

    That, by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting.

127 ESTABLISHMENT REPORT - PART II

    The Panel received and noted a confidential report of the Chief Constable (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on various personnel matters.

128 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL STATISTICS - 1995 TO PRESENT

    The Panel considered a confidential report of the Chief Constable (Item 6 in the Minute Book) setting our details of Employment Tribunal Statistics for 1995 to present.

    The Chairman commended the Personnel Department for their work in relation to tribunal cases.

    RESOLVED:

    That the data on the Employment Tribunal cases be noted.

129 BEST VALUE ACPO REVIEW - TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

    The Panel considered a confidential report of the Clerk and Chief Constable (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on issues in relation to the Terms and Conditions of Employment for members of the ACPO team.

    RESOLVED:

    That the recommendations set out in the report be agreed.

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